Grades 5 & Up

Fiction

Gr 5-7–This sequel to May Bird and the Ever After (S & S, 2005) picks up the story with Ellen Bird mourning the loss of her daughter. Meanwhile May and her pet, Somber Kitty, find themselves on a spectral train in Ever After. Anderson has clearly had a great deal of fun creating a world not so different from our own where spirits go after death, and readers will love her humorous jabs at popular culture. Joined by her ghost companions, May journeys through spooky haunts such as “Risk Falls,” the home of the spirits of daredevils who died in sports such as climbing or surfing. May’s quest is to find the Lady of the North Farm, the one person who can tell her where she can find the portal that will send her home. At the same time, Bo Cleevil is trying to snuff out Ever After, and May is the only one who can save it. It seems odd, particularly within the conventions of this genre, that May’s only desire is to return home, leaving her companions without the assurance that she will come back. Readers will need to have read the first book to get the full impact of this one.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 5-8–Set just after World War II, Auch’s novel tells of 11-year-old Norm, whose family owns a meat market. On the Fourth of July, while helping his dad in the store, he gets his hand caught in the meat grinder and loses it. He then faces the challenges of one-handed shoe tying, band practice, and his dream of being a baseball player. The climax is, of course, the big game and Norm’s chance to prove himself to his peers and community. The gruesome accident is the only jarring note in this otherwise light, humorous tale. Norm’s inner voice is generally calm, and his jocular exchanges with his friend Leon provide comic relief. His mother’s fierce attempts to keep her son independent and his father’s silent guilt round out the family picture that feels immediate in many ways, even though the story is set in 1946. While the rosy worldview may be slightly exaggerated, there’s a small-town interconnectedness between the episodic chapters that will keep the pages turning. One-Handed Catch is an enjoyable read on the popular theme of overcoming adversity. Pitch it alongside Joseph Bruchac’s The Warriors (Darby Creek) and John H. Ritter’s The Boy Who Saved Baseball (Philomel, both 2003) as a sports fiction title.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

Gr 7-10–A prequel to The Various (Random, 2004). Celandine is the odd student at her new boarding school, the one who doesn’t fit in. World War I has just begun and her brother has enlisted, leaving her feeling even more alone. She hatches a plan to escape the institution’s cruelty and ridiculous rules and regulations, returning to familiar ground and the friends she left behind–the Various, who inhabit Howard’s Hill near her home. But all is not well with the little people, and a tribal war breaks out. The intrigue begins early in the story, but some readers might find that the flashback takes up too much of the novel; it travels back three years in time and doesn’t return to 1915 until 200 pages later. However, those who stick with it will be rewarded, as, in the end, they find out why Celandine acted as she did and learn more about the Various.–Dylan Thomarie, Johnstown High School, NY

Gr 4-6–This latest installment in the series continues with the travails of Emma as she tries to marry Prince Eadric. The young couple must go to meet his parents in Upper Montevista in order to obtain their consent. This is not a slam-dunk as Emma is a witch and Eadric’s mother is not too keen on the use of magic. In fact, she won’t even allow Emma to use it to help rescue her younger son, Bardston, who has been kidnapped by trolls. Unfortunately, that is about the extent of the plot; the rest is just window dressing, and not very interesting dressing at that. The story plods along as Emma and Eadric make their journey, but nothing much really happens. Things pick up once the search for Bardston begins. Emma is able to see that the man she loves is more than she thought he was, and his parents see that there is more to Emma than they believed. There certainly is no lack of humor, and kids will get a kick out of the hip “Shrek” vibe that Baker creates in this updated fairy tale. The attitudes are contemporary, but attitude alone doesn’t make a compelling story. This one is for libraries in which the earlier books are popular.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 7 Up–Barron reaches for some Tolkienesque grandeur in this final installment in this series. He has several plotlines going at once as he picks up the story of Tamwyn, Elli, and Scree. The story moves back and forth among the quests of these three heroes and among the realms of the great tree that is the world of Avalon. Rhita Gawr, the evil sorcerer, is trying to destroy Avalon by finding doors through which his warriors can enter. Tamwyn seeks a path to the very heights of the great tree to understand magic and his own destiny. Elli has to go in the opposite direction, down into the darkness of Shadowroot. Scree must learn how to be a leader in battle. These three plotlines lead to a conclusion that features three cataclysmic battles raging simultaneously. The finale features a brief cameo from Merlin. The writing is sometimes poetic, but sometimes too dense, and the story doesn’t stand on its own. It will be best appreciated by those who have been following the trilogy from the beginning, and will have even more meaning for fans of Barron’s “Merlin” saga (Philomel). A substantial appendix includes an Avalon time line and descriptions of all of the characters.–Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

Gr 6-8–In this Australian import, Millie, a Year Seven student, lives with her artist mother, Kate. Mum’s best friend and her son fill out the household until Sheri is swept off her feet by Brendan, a school counselor. He turns out to be a mean philanderer, and the foil for Tom, Kate’s kind new boyfriend whom she meets after they relocate. The typical adjustments ensue, but the girl perseveres and finds friends, an enemy, and a crush. Millie’s growing understanding of herself, her environment, and the adults in her life is the true focus of this novel. American readers may be unfamiliar with some of the story’s elements and terms, including a week spent at sleepaway camp after school begins; netball; and Maccas, the Australian nickname for McDonald’s. Perhaps Millie’s immediate acceptance of Tom in both her mom’s life and in her own comes across more as adult wishful thinking than believable. Nonetheless, for fans of mild realistic fiction who might like to go Down Under and experience Millie’s quiet challenges and triumphs, this book should be an easy sell.–Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA

Gr 9 Up–Now that his father is in jail, nothing seems to be going right for 15-year-old Tyrell. His mother’s refusal to work and her stint with welfare fraud have forced them into homelessness and life in a roach-infested shelter in Hunts Point. At the shelter, Tyrell soon realizes that his attraction to another resident, Jasmine, could derail his dreams of a future with his girl, Novisha. Torn between the needs of the women in his life and his seven-year-old brother, Tyrell is determined to stay clean as he agonizes over creating a new life for his family. Booth combines the rhythm of raw street lingo with the harsh realities of an inner-city urban life to illuminate the labyrinth of Tyrell’s world. As he struggles to escape this circle of poverty, he must also battle dual temptations of sexual frustration and the easy money he could make as a drug dealer. This is a thrilling, fast-paced novel whose strong plot and array of vivid, well-developed characters take readers on an unforgettable journey through the gritty streets of New York City’s South Bronx. At its heart is the painful choice the teen must make as he realizes the effect of his mother’s failure to do right by their family.–Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library

Gr 8 Up–Avielle is a Rhian princess, but her own people fear her. She has the silver skin and hair of her great-great-grandmother, a Dredonian who used her evil magic against Rhia. The 15-year-old, ever fearful of taking after her relative, takes comfort in her lack of magic: no magic, she reasons, no evil. Her eldest brother is in line for the throne, and she hopes to live out of the public eye. Dredonia, however, is ruled by the Brethren of the Black Cloak, evil-wizard priests who “will eagerly give their lives, be it only to see one Rhian dead.” They attack, and Avielle is the only member of the royal family who survives. She is taken in by a kind weaver and learns that her gift is weaving. At first she hides her identity, but as the attacks continue and suspicion of Dredonian Rhians grows, she must find the courage to come forward and save her people. This is not a light-and-fluffy fantasy: in Avielle’s world, readers will see some reflection of their own. They might also see echoes of the Holocaust, as Dredonian Rhians are required to wear identifying badges when they go out in public. Themes of free will and the classic nature-vs.-nurture debate are examined as Avielle discovers her magic and learns how to control it. This is a coming-of-age story disguised as a fantasy, and it should appeal to any girl who has ever felt uncomfortable in her own skin.–Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI

Gr 5-8–Miles and Hanna Ferrell live near Shalem Wood where a beast known as the Shriker has been attacking villagers for 300 years. Everyone knows his story–he was once a faithful dog betrayed by his owner, given to an evil master (another Ferrell), and cursed to kill at the time of the dark moon. Miles is determined to break the curse and win the admiration of the town. It doesn’t take long for him to get in over his head, and meek, quiet Hanna has to overcome her shyness if she is to save him. Or, will the siblings just become two more of the beast’s victims? The story has plenty of intrigue and danger, and the characters are realistically drawn. While well written, the plot is just a tad predictable, which, in fact, adds to its charm as the novel reads almost like a fairy tale, with the same rhythms and the same etiquette. Recommend it to lovers of (very mild) horror and suspense or to those who enjoy old-fashioned fairy tales. All in all, a fun read.–Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

Gr 9 Up–Orphaned, a scholarship student, and a self-proclaimed poet, Michael MacInnes is given the opportunity to attend a prestigious boys’ prep school in Prohibition-era Maryland. He strikes up a friendship with Roger, a fellow misfit. Michael’s free-thinking, rule-breaking antics shake the very core of the institution. He takes on the school literary paper and the religious authorities by printing what they term “atheist propaganda.” He ruins the local student-bootlegger’s business to save the other boys from a poisonous product. His biggest triumph, however, comes at the end of the book, when he wins over his archrival’s girlfriend. In the end, the school is changed for the better, and Roger is encouraged to come out of his shell. Homophobic bullying and the brutality of boarding schools of the era also play a part in the story. This book is reminiscent of Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War (Pantheon, 1974), without the excessive violence and with touches of humor.–Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

Gr 4-7–Since her parents’ divorce two years ago, Scarlett Flynn has been kicked out of five schools. After she ignites a food “demonstration” in the cafeteria, her mother has had enough. With her pierced tongue, black fingernails, and dyed tomato-soup-red hair, the 12-year-old is unwillingly sent from London to live with her father and his new family in Ireland. Aghast at her new school and new home in rural Connemara, Scarlett is angry. Her outlet is the lough where she meets mysterious gypsy boy Kian and his horse, Midnight. He allows her to express herself and provides the escape and friendship she needs. Her nine-year-old stepsister also sneaks her way into Scarlett’s heart, helping her to adjust. As she grows more penitent about her behavior, she makes the effort to change and becomes an important player in the family. Infused with a bit of fairy-tale magic, this is a fast-paced yet thoughtful story. The heroine is feisty and troublesome, yet quirky and lovable. Her feelings are justified, and readers will sympathize with her. The character develops tremendously as her anger ebbs and flows, transforming into sincere love and acceptance. Cassidy has written a poignant and strong story about love, forgiveness, and resilience.–Jennifer Cogan, Bucks County Free Library, Doylestown, PA

Gr 9 Up–Cordelia Kenn is 19 and happily expecting a baby girl. She writes a series of pillow books–Japanese diaries of total disclosure–to her unborn daughter. First, she describes her courtship with Will, her first love. The lengthy second book tells two stories, one on every other page. The remaining books describe her affair with a married man, an intimate friendship with a female teacher, and her reunion with her beloved. Cordelia writes of her life and desires with thrilling abandon and unabashed sexuality, and her first book–with its breathless pace, come-hither conversation, and chase and catch–is a whirling, delicious sex bomb. The form of the second book is jarring and infuriating if read in sequence, yet it’s too disheartening, in a book of this size, to read one story and turn back 200 pages for the other. The real challenge for teens, though, is pages and pages of Cordelia’s bad poetry and precious, banal, and often crushingly boring musings. Chambers’s male characters are perfectly realized, and he hits bright, insecure Will right on the familiar, frustrating male teenage head. Unfortunately, Cordelia reeks of male fantasy, and Chambers’s strings are evident as she and a friend write on each other and roll around naked; as she purports to love menstruation; as she expounds upon breasts ad nauseum. By the last third of the novel, even the formerly crisp dialogue often sounds like philosophical discourse. Cordelia’s excruciating musings continue to intrude upon her last three books, and the electric promise of the first section is never fulfilled.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 4-7–This thoughtful novel about Hungarian refugees living in Cincinnati in 1952 invites comparison with many situations in today’s politically unstable world. Peti, 8, lives with his parents and is looking forward to having his aunt, uncle, and 12-year-old cousin join them in the U.S. How could he have known how cruel and disturbed his cousin would be? Or that his mother’s worry about her father, still in Hungary and able to communicate only through letters with coded messages, would overshadow so much else in their family? The adults in this small apartment all have far too much on their minds to pay much attention to Peter, a curious, talkative child who is sometimes overly eager to please, and his first-person narrative conveys an authentic feel for some of the universal experiences of childhood. Significant plot elements include a friendly librarian, stories about the Underground Railroad, and the boy’s growing interest in photography. All of these contribute to his gradual journey toward maturity and a stronger sense of himself. Peti is occasionally too good to be true, and there won’t be a huge audience for this sensitive story. Also, the narrator is younger than the intended readership, something else that can get in the way of selling a book to kids. Yet, in its quiet way, this is a remarkable and original book.–Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Gr 6 Up–The protagonist in Things Not Seen (Philomel, 2002) becomes a helpful friend to 17-year-old Gwen, who has been living with her grandfather in Manhattan while attending music school and preparing for intense auditions for college. Then, just after her grandfather and his brother have a fight about money, her grandfather disappears, leaving a confusing and cryptic note. Robert, also a musician, and Gwen pair up to solve the mystery when an uncomfortable reminder of his past shows up. The plot is quick, and readers will identify with Gwen’s feelings of being torn between responsibility to herself and to her future, and her need to find her grandfather. Gwen’s story is a good mix of mystery, friendship, and fantasy, with a touch of creepiness that will make the most sense to those who have read Things Not Seen.–Sherry Quinones, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD

Gr 5-9–It is Indiana in the 1920s–Prohibition is in effect and basketball is the sport to watch. Andy Soaring, 14, has spent the last five years observing his parents grieve for his brother, Pete, who died in World War I. Pete was a star basketball player, and Andy has been obsessively practicing so that he can step into his brother’s shoes in order to bring some joy back into his family. Bennie Esposito, the child of carnies and suspected bootleggers, is a new freshman and also a brilliant basketball player. Andy recognizes Bennie as a kindred spirit. However, his resentment of Bennie for winning over the girl he secretly desires keeps them from completely becoming friends. As the result of a single foolish act meant to attract AnnaLise’s attention, Andy is sidelined for half of the basketball season. As he waits to play again, he is introduced to journalism and discovers some truths about his family and the people in his town. Although there are moments when true personality emerges, the characters are sporadically developed, leaving great emotional potential unrealized. An underlying story about Andy’s parents’ rushed marriage corresponds with the possible reason for Pete’s sudden departure for the war. However, this thread is not completely resolved even though it drives much of the emotional content. This novel has potential, but sadly delivers only a fraction of what is promised, and the end result is rather unremarkable.–Heather M. Campbell, Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Gr 6-8–In this novel’s gripping first scene, eight-year-old Michael Rosetti is abandoned by his father at the Baltimore airport, his hopes of living with his dad after his mother’s remarriage dashed by the man’s self-centeredness and irresponsibility. Placing a collect call to his 15-year-old sister, Lily, Michael waits until she and their baby half brother fly from New York City to get him and return before their mother and stepfather get back from taking their older sister, Reb, to college. Michael swears Lily to secrecy, and Cooney uses this implausible scenario to tell the story of the teenager’s growing fury at her father’s callousness and its personality-changing effect on her brother. Throughout the book, Lily grapples with her difficulty in reconciling the Christian beliefs and ethics she learns at church and her inability to forgive her father. When Reb returns from college and announces her impending marriage, planning to have her father walk her down the aisle, the story of his cruelty to Michael finally comes out. It is their quiet, forbearing stepfather who comes up with a way to avoid a confrontation between Lily and her father while preserving Reb’s and Michael’s loyalty to him, however misguided. Despite many flaws, the story is engrossing and the resolution satisfying. Cooney is somewhat heavy-handed in her criticism of school-system counseling, but she manages to avoid religious platitudes, grounding the story in a teenager’s conflict with applying her beliefs to a difficult family reality.–Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY

Gr 5-7–In this second book in the series, Delaney chronicles the spine-tingling adventures of Thomas Ward, seventh son of a seventh son, and the last remaining apprentice of monster hunter Mr. Gregory, aka the Spook. The most dangerous monster of all, the Bane, has been imprisoned in the catacombs under Priestown. He kills by squashing his victims completely flat, and he appears to be succeeding at controlling the minds and actions of some of the town’s inhabitants. He needs to be dealt with once and for all. Priestown holds its own dangers for Thomas and the Spook, however, as their work makes them subject to being declared witches and executed by the Quisitor. In the scary and dangerous events that follow, Thomas, accompanied by his friend Alice, faces the most difficult choices of his life so far, and learns to trust himself rather than simply follow his master’s instructions. His first-person narration gives this truly spooky story an immediacy and a sense of reality that heightens the tension and impending danger. While part of a series, the story stands successfully on its own. Occasional eerily atmospheric woodcuts enhance the story’s mood.–Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City

Gr 7 Up–This book expands on the dragon lore created in The Fire Within (Scholastic, 2005). College student David Rain’s new professor, Dr. Bergstrom, a polar research scientist, introduces him to legends from the Arctic and invites him to write an essay about dragons to qualify for a research trip. A succession of paranormal events leads to David’s flamboyant classmate Zanna inadvertently “quickening” a dragon egg belonging to his landlady, Liz. A powerful woman who calls herself Gwyneth, and who claims to be Liz’s aunt, arrives to help with the arrival of the new dragon. David discovers that Gwyneth is a figure from dragon legends, and that her motivations may lead to harm for him and for his friends. His attempts to oppose her result in an action-packed conclusion, expanding further on the legends and leaving room for the final volume in the series. In contrast to the domestic story of The Fire Within, Icefire offers a darker and more mature story. Liz’s clay dragons develop a greater degree of realism within the story, and their background is further explored. Readers will find action and mysteries aplenty in this fantastic tale, as well as a group of appealing dragons who are tricky, heroic, and often charming.–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI

Gr 5-8–Lucy Pettee, 14, is getting too old to swim with her pal Jesse in just her under-shift, but she feels she is too young to consider marrying a proper suitor her father might choose from Boston. Her father runs a profitable store on the iron forgers’ mountain of Mt. Riga, CT, in the early 19th century. While Jesse longs to escape the mountain and its brutal forge that has burned and disfigured his brother, Lucy loves its spectacular meadows and lakes. Then, Samuel Lernley appears on the scene to learn shopkeeping from Mr. Pettee and to take a look at Lucy as a possible wife. The teen is thrust into a love triangle when she realizes that she has feelings for both Jesse and Mr. Lernley. Well-written historical fiction with a unique setting and a touch of mystery, Lucy’s story will both inform and entertain readers.–Suzanne Gordon, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, GA

Gr 4-6–Akeelah Anderson, 11, is accustomed to hiding her intelligence from the other students at Crenshaw Middle School. All this changes when she is coerced into participating in the school’s first spelling bee. Words have always fascinated the seventh grader, a passion she shared with her late father. When she wins and moves on to the district competition, her principal’s old friend, university professor Dr. Larabee, begins to coach her. Both are stubborn, and they take some time warming up to one another, but their sessions begin in earnest once Akeelah qualifies for the next level. Beyond learning thousands of words, she has a major problem–her mother wants her to concentrate on summer school instead of entering the competition. Determined to go, the girl forges her father’s signature on the application. Of course Mrs. Anderson discovers the truth, but is persuaded to let her daughter continue. Along the way the girl finds that she has become a symbol of pride to her South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. This novel, based on the screenplay of the same name, tends to tell rather than show much of the action, but this will probably not deter young readers.–Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA

Gr 5-8–This story is set in the dilapidated mining town of Grubstake, CO, in 1888. Arley is a 16-year-old who, after her father’s death, inherits her family’s mine and boarding house where many of the town’s down-on-their-luck miners live and where she cooks, cleans, and does everything except actually collect much rent. In the age-old story tradition, a stranger comes to town, and the word is that he wants to buy all of the surrounding mines to turn the area into a resort. Arley, of course, soon figures out that if he wants them so badly there must be more to the story than he’s letting on, and so she corrals her fellow Grubstakians into running the greedy man out of town. They are assisted by one of the bad guy’s former henchmen who makes an unconvincing turnaround and joins their ragtag group of secondary characters in their even more unbelievable, yet completely predictable, success: not only do they foil the antagonist’s plans with a weak tactic that any reader who has ever been to a haunted house will find ridiculous, but there is also the timely discovery of the elusive and profitable osblindium in Arley’s mine. This book has love, betrayal, orphans, and angst, and a relatively happy ending, but none of these elements makes this story successful at being either entertainingly melodramatic, like Arley’s beloved penny dreadfuls, or fully realized fiction, like Ferris’s previous books.–Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL

Gr 7 Up–Before Romeo fell in love with Juliet, he was enamored of Rosaline, Juliet’s 16-year-old cousin, who vowed never to marry. Then his cousin Benvolio rescues her from being trampled in a Capulet-Montague rumble. Rosaline and Benvolio–both skeptical of love–fall for one another. The Capulets and Montagues continue to have at it, and Romeo, Juliet, and most of their cousins end up dead. For Rosaline and Benvolio, though, it’s the beginning. Fielder retells the story in fast-paced prose true to the play, without leaving out a single barb, kiss, or duel. As such, this novel is extremely useful for students struggling with a first reading of Shakespeare’s work. The author re-creates period language with some success, though her cutesy, anachronistic winks–Juliet and Rosaline call each other “Roz” and “Jules”–are irritating. While her 16th-century phrasings and semantics seem more flowery than poetic, she illuminates the emotional lives of the characters in a way that poetry may not, especially for younger readers. The mood here is lighter and mercifully less romantic than in the tragic play, as Rosaline and Benvolio fall in deeper, more realistic love than Romeo and Juliet ever did. Though a little wordy for reluctant readers, this novel is an entertaining primer to Shakespeare.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 4-6–A story set in Edwardian England. Clarrie and Will’s dad is in Australia trying to earn enough money to send for his family. Their mum goes to Ireland for a funeral, where she is mistakenly imprisoned for theft. This leaves the children in the care of alcoholic Uncle Len, a ventriloquist. He and his doll aren’t getting many laughs these days, so he encourages Will to dress as Frozen Billy’s twin. They become the lead act. In a series of notebooks, Clarrie recounts the gradual change in Will from exuberant younger brother to cold, brittle performer. Clarrie is frightened when he begins talking to creepy Frozen Billy at night. She realizes that he needs rescuing and hatches an elaborate plan. “Good” Clarrie is able to plot their getaway precisely because no one expects it of her. This melodrama strains credulity but conveys a real sense of the disturbing changes in the characters. Will and Uncle Len spiral into bitterness and detachment, while Clarrie finds a tenacity and cleverness in herself that was previously unknown. Rough black-and-white drawings give a sense of the vaudeville theater and the period. As usual, Fine creates fascinating characters, an intense impression of time and place, and a fast-paced plot.–B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY

Gr 7 Up–Seventeen-year-old Cal abandons his alcoholic, schizophrenic mother and shabby English town. On the train to his uncle’s house in a posh suburb, he gets off at Corbenic, which he later learns is nonexistent. He makes his way to the court of the crippled Fisher King, who knows Cal is really Percival, the last hope to restore the king’s wasteland to its former glory. When the teenager fails to identify a vision of the Holy Grail, he is banished back to modern England. Then, as the legend goes, he searches for Corbenic, but can only return when he comes to terms with the mother he’s rejected. Along the way he meets Shadow and Hawk, Arthurian reenactors who may or may not be the real thing. The blurring of fantasy and reality is sometimes confusing but helps to sustain the mood of wonder and mystery. Both the real and surreal settings are lushly rendered, and Fisher’s physical descriptions are especially evocative. The dialogue is sharp, but while Cal’s conversations with Shadow and Hawk are natural and engaging, his inner monologue is repetitive and boring. Cal is drawn with a heavy hand as a materialistic, pretentious whiner, and while this portrait keeps to the myth, he’s impossible for readers to care about. Minor characters are portrayed with subtle wit and sweetness and are unfortunately more compelling than the narrator or his quest. Though the plot moves steadily, those unfamiliar with the myth may find the journey tedious.–Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library

Gr 7 Up–Mitra and her younger brother, Babak, are refugees in ancient Persia, living in a labyrinth of caves, scraping by with the food they can steal in the nearby marketplace. Disguised as a boy for safety and mobility, Mitra dreams of returning to her former life of opulence before her father’s plot against a despotic king scattered the family. When it is discovered that Babak possesses the ability of prophetic dreaming, he comes to the attention of a local magus, Melchior, who takes the children under his protection as he travels westward, following signs in the stars. Joined by two more scholars, each with his own gifts, the caravan continues on a harrowing journey that leads them into the Roman territories, and eventually to the tiny village of Bethlehem. While the focus is always on Mitra, readers experience a growing awareness of who these three wise men actually are and what portentous events Babak is dreaming for them. Fletcher explains in detailed author’s notes her long-standing fascination with the story of the Magi and provides insight into the research process. A fine weaver of historical fiction, she creates a fully realized world for her characters and builds a plot full of suspense and anguish. Mitra and Babak’s plight is that of any children caught between warring factions. Their journey is one of seeking a place of safety to call home, and, for Mitra, it is a coming-of-age quest that leaves her changed forever.–Connie C. Rockman, Stratford Library Association, CT

Gr 7-10–Caitlin, who was abused by her 16-year-old boyfriend, Nick, in Flinn’s Breathing Underwater (HarperCollins, 2001), wants to put that relationship behind her. A talented opera singer, she gets into Miami High School for the Performing Arts despite her own nervousness and her mother’s objections. Even there she feels like an outcast as she can’t dance or sing pop and she obsesses about her weight. Her mother dresses like a teenager, is dating a married man, and seems to live off her ex-husband. At auditions, she meets another talented opera singer, Sean, but just as Caitlin’s starting to fall for him, she realizes he’s gay. While she’s struggling to put all this into perspective, her singing instructor suggests that she try out for a summer opera program in New York. In the end, the teenager patches things up with her ex, who has reformed through counseling. After she gains new respect for her mother, and new confidence, she decides to pursue her dream and is accepted to the program in New York. Caitlin tells her story partly through online journal entries. Although her understanding of her mother comes too rapidly, this is a solid story, full of self-deprecating humor, snappy dialogue, and well-developed characters and situations.–Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Gr 7-10–Fisher Brown is a typical overachiever, stressed out about his grades and his future. His compulsive father, who happens to be his guidance counselor, leaves index cards with pointers around his room, such as, “read above and below target area.” When the 16-year-old encounters Lonny Traynor lounging on a discarded sofa in the street, he wonders why he can’t live the easy life, too. Lonny delights him with stories of dropping out of school, getting tattoos, and traveling the world. When he invites Fish to join him in doing a roofing job for a friend over the weekend, the teen sees an opportunity for adventure, and they hop on a Greyhound bus. The friend turns out to be the mother of Lonny’s son, Charlie. Fish finds himself helping her make ends meet, fixing up the house, and being a role model for the child. He stays longer than planned, but needs to get back to school before he’s in trouble. Despite his disappointment in Lonny’s character, Fish learns to do the right thing and to help his new friends in need. He sets a good example for students who can get so stressed about school that they forget that other people have problems, too. Fellow overachievers will relate to Fisher’s drive to help his new friends, and will be satisfied when he finds a way to work out his own problems as well. A short, satisfying lesson in caring.–Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH

Gr 7-10–Based on the hit role-playing game Fortune Quest, this novel reads like a video game. It follows 16-year-old Duan Surk, a Level 2 fighter; his pet magical lizard; princess Agnis, who is being hunted by an assassin; and the Level 16 fighter, Olba, as they embark on a quest to save Agnis’s mother from a curse placed on her by the twin witches, Ogma and Samra. Throughout their quest, the group encounters such mythical creatures as the cyclops, the minotaur, the griffin, and the hydra. The greatest appeal of the novel is the nonstop action. Although the story goes on far too long, it will find an audience among teens who are interested in role-playing games or manga.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 6 Up–Racing away from home on his bike to avoid being dragged to another embarrassing visit with his imprisoned father, a South Florida middle schooler is hit by a car and swept into this time-travel thriller. Ryan faces a number of narrow escapes and gradually comes to accept that he has been recruited by Hezekiah, an elderly African-American “Legal Eagle,” to succeed him. Hezekiah uses “leapholes” in conjunction with law books to travel back in time to meet the people behind the cases that have established precedent, good or bad, and that determine our current legal environment. What’s not to like about a book that says, “Nowhere is the imagination less constrained than in a library” and that incorporates lawyer jokes? Unfortunately, weak characterization and circumstantial plot make this novel less appealing for sophisticated teen readers. A portion of the story involves Dred Scott v. Sandford, and the author has to explain abolition and the Underground Railroad to a clueless Ryan, even though he has studied the Civil War. Extensive end matter includes responses from 19 famous lawyers about why they entered the profession. Fans of Horowitz might bite on this, but not of Grisham.–Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA

Gr 8 Up–Rosa, 12, lives with her family in a small Indian village in Mexico. She wants desperately to visit the city and prays to her gods that she might travel there with her father. After the crops fail, he takes her to Santa María, but her dreams are shattered when he sells her into service as a servant. When the patron sexually abuses Rosa, she believes she has dishonored her family. She soon becomes pregnant and is turned out onto the street. Struggling with spiritual as well as physical survival, she decides to end her life, but must first find a safe place for her baby. She arrives at a mission where she remains. With the staff’s help, she searches for identity, learns to solve her own problems and care for Flor, gains self-confidence, and develops the skills needed to make a future for herself and her daughter. Hamilton does not flinch from describing the harsh realities of Rosa’s life. She is a fully realized character who experiences despair over the conflict between her people’s traditional ways and city life. Cultural details are smoothly woven into the story. At times lyrical, the writing depicts social problems frankly, without sensationalizing or oversimplifying. Based on fact, this compelling story brings attention to issues of child exploitation and abuse and fosters a deeper understanding of the dilemmas faced by many young people across the globe.–Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Gr 5-8–Victims of busy parents, Madlyn, 11, and Rollo, 9, go to stay with an eccentric cast of relatives at Clawstone Castle. Along with Great-Aunt Emily, her brother Great-Uncle George, and no-longer-living Cousin Howard, the real attraction is the legendary and noble Wild White Cattle herd. The children join the family’s endeavors to support the animals by turning the place into a museum, but when the bovines are cow-napped, each family member plays a part in their return, along with Ibbotson’s usual cadre of banshees and ghosts, as well as a pair of Scottish feet. Everything readers like about this author is present in good amounts. From the first chapter, they will make an emotional connection with Madlyn and Rollo and with the impoverished, yet creative castle denizens. While a ghost with a rat munching on its heart may not leave a pleasant feeling in one’s stomach, it cannot be denied that it is memorable, even more so when Ibbotson convinces readers to pity the rat. She deftly brings in such contemporary issues as land development, animal rights, and the environment without creating an obvious message. The story’s quest pattern (find the cows!) makes the plot easy to follow and well structured, accompanied by humorous and disgusting details aplenty. Hawkes’s whimsical, full-page line drawings are scattered throughout. More of a page-turner than some of Ibbotson’s recent stories, this novel will find a following among readers of Suzanne Collins’s Gregor the Overlander (Scholastic, 2003) or Angie Sage’s “Septimus Heap” series (HarperCollins).–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

Gr 5-8–Robot parts lay all around Jordan’s house, where he shadows his sister, Cassie, a graduate student studying computer engineering. Technology runs amok when the bored computer geek designs a program that develops a mind of its own. Experimenting with “go” game programs leads Jordan to develop a supercomputer that somehow spreads throughout the university network, borrowing information to become more intuitive. Jordan uses Cassie’s computer parts to create a robot that responds to voice and visual commands, and a self-serving administrator wants to use it for sinister purposes. Tension mounts as Jordan and his friend Helen are threatened by dangerous men who trash Cassie’s lab and, after finding nothing, set out for Jordan’s house. Ultimately saved by his robot, Jordan urges authorities not to destroy his benevolent virus, which even apologizes to those whose privacy “she” invades. Computer junkies will enjoy the technology aspects as well as the characters, whose humor and normal kid behavior will make readers believe this is all within the realm of possibility.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY

Gr 7-9–A housing project, an incarcerated parent, and other elements of inner-city life form the backdrop for this story about eighth-grader Patrice. She has been uprooted from Georgia and the beloved grandmother who raised her, and is struggling to accept her difficult life, handle the bitter Chicago winter, and stay ahead of the group of boys who taunt her when her principal asks her to apply for a scholarship to a prestigious African-American boarding school in Mississippi. Stories of hope, loyalty, and success such as this one are valuable for letting all kids see themselves in books and for fighting the endless stereotypes that surround them. It’s unfortunate that the writing isn’t more even and polished, rather than utilitarian with a tendency to tell, not show. Despite this, girls will appreciate the strength that underlies Patrice’s quiet and unassuming exterior and will cheer for her and for Monty, the cool guy who is inspired by her willingness to be different. Decent characterization, together with a worthwhile topic, makes this a title to consider.–Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL

Gr 9 Up–In her first year of med school, 22-year-old Giselle Vasco seems to have it all together. But a lifetime of bitter relations with her deceased father is slowly catching up, and she falls into a downward spiral that her mother and her younger sister, Holly, are powerless to stop. Skinny, though, is much more than a study of one young woman’s battle with anorexia. What starts as Giselle’s story quickly develops into a rich and powerful tapestry of a whole family. When Thomas and Vesla Vasco emigrated from Hungary in the 1970s to escape communism’s rigid caste system, Vesla was already pregnant, and Thomas had always questioned whether the baby was his. His doubts color his whole relationship with his older daughter, and when Holly is born eight years later, the divide becomes more apparent. Holly, a natural athlete, struggles to understand and avert her sister’s self-loathing. The chapters alternate between the sisters’ voices, and the ability to see the events unfolding through their eyes adds a depth and a poignancy that would not have been possible with a single narrator. Kaslik’s first novel hits the mark with characters with whom teens will empathize, and tackles a relevant and painful subject with grace.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 5-7–Alex Kendrill and his friend Rocky are exploring in the woods when they discover an illegal animal trap. Shortly thereafter, Alex witnesses a pig falling off the back of a truck driven by a reckless driver, and he and his friends and family rescue it. When its owner shows up to claim it, the Kendrills refuse to release it. When “Hogman” again attempts to reclaim the animal, he kidnaps Alex’s cat, Pete. His family then sets out to locate the feline and prove that the man is involved in illegal trapping. Kehret has a unique writing style, and the text includes long stretches of story narrated by Pete. Some of these scenes are deliciously snarky, with the cat looking up words in the dictionary that start with the letters c-a-t and giving a detailed description of coughing up furballs. The technique is also effective when he describes what happens to him during his kidnapping. Animal lovers will get a kick out of this intriguing mystery.–Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH

Gr 8 Up–Stephen, a British 17-year-old, has been in and out of trouble with the law and with his various foster families since he was 7. He is gearing up for what he expects to be his worst crime yet: murder. In a fast-moving, first-person narration, he reveals that his plans aren’t to kill another human–he intends to kill a beast that has been plaguing him for six years. Bit by bit, in hinted details and promises that explanations will come later, the teen plots how to rid himself of the huge crocodile his criminal father gave him without letting his foster family in on the secret. The situation soon spirals out of control, and Stephen must allow himself to trust others with his secret to rid himself of the Beast. Kennen tells the story predominantly in the present tense, and even Stephen’s flashbacks, told in past tense, serve to propel the story forward. Though the characters travel from crisis to solution over the course of the novel, there is less growth than revelation about who they are under the facades they show the world. Despite its somewhat urban setting, this is the sort of story that Jack London might have written if he’d crafted tales for hip modern teens. Facts about the crocodile are naturally introduced through Stephen’s commentary and dialogue with others. Some reluctant readers may stumble over Briticisms; others will be drawn in by the quick pacing and authentic voice.–Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT

Gr 5-8–Two girls spend a year in Los Alamos as their parents work on the secret “gadget” that will end World War II. Dewey is a mechanically minded 10-year-old who gets along fine with the scientists at the site, but is teased by girls her own age. When her mathematician father is called away, she moves in with Suze, who initially detests her new roommate. The two draw closer, though, and their growing friendship is neatly set against the tenseness of the Los Alamos compound as the project nears completion. Clear prose brings readers right into the unusual atmosphere of the secretive scientific community, seen through the eyes of the kids and their families. Dewey is an especially engaging character, plunging on with her mechanical projects and ignoring any questions about gender roles. Occasional shifts into first person highlight the protagonist’s most emotional moments, including her journey to the site and her reaction to her father’s unexpected death. After the atomic bomb test succeeds, ethical concerns of both youngsters and adults intensify as the characters learn how it is ultimately used. Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos’s historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way.–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR

Gr 9 Up–This novel mixes themes of betrayal, independence, and psychological manipulation with recognizable ancient Greek myths in a modern-day setting. A conniving psychologist pits two gifted, home-schooled siblings against one another, the narcissist Ivan and younger, more vulnerable Hilly (likened to Persephone). In alternating chapters, carefully paced to escalate the tension, each one tells about the assaults on their formerly close relationship. Hilly grows and finds her inner strength while Ivan simply refuses to change until his self-image cracks. Well executed in its setup, in its foreboding aura, and in the feel of each person’s voice, the end result is unfortunate; the underlying character motivations are unconvincing. With the exception of Ivan’s urgently earnest psychobabble (“sickness can…be utilized as a mode of defense, a deep moat of illness around the castle of personality”), neither one of the siblings appears to be either extraordinary or worth the machinations of the villain, whose “evil” actions are themselves unbaked. Still, for some sophisticated readers, the sense of paranoia and mythological references will resonate with deeply felt significance.–Rhona Campbell, Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC

Gr 7 Up–The threat of a hurricane in the small coastal community of Easton, NC, is only part of the fallout that Genevieve faces as she begins her freshman year in high school in 1954. Her father listens intently to the words of Senator Joseph McCarthy and plans to build a fallout shelter in the backyard. He issues daily warnings to Genevieve and her mother about the Communists in America. Then Genevieve meets Brenda Wompers, a new girl from California who is outspoken and liberal, and a new kind of fallout occurs. The town is simply not ready for the Wompers when they lodge a protest against the school’s civil-defense curriculum and request that the dangers of atomic testing be taught instead. Finally, Gen must make a decision about how far to take her new friendship with Brenda before she faces personal fallout with her classmates and family. The Wompers leave town, but not before Brenda helps Genevieve understand that neither things nor people are easy to define. This is an excellent novel for teens searching for a good story with a well-paced and action-filled plot that challenges them to think about the importance of voicing their opinions. The characters are interesting and consistent with the time and place of the novel. Genevieve’s self-discovery might be compared to Karen Cushman’s main character in The Loud Silence of Francine Green (Clarion, 2006), also set during the McCarthy era.–Pat Scales, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville

Gr 8 Up–This esoteric short-story collection celebrates creative and expressive literature in a big, broad way. Lanagan’s themes range from reckoning to healing, and her conflicts tackle eating disorders, terrorists, and self-empowerment. One heartening story, “Big Rage,” is a modern-day social take on “Beauty and the Beast.” At once romantic and tragic, filled with rough-and-tumble jousting scenes, it is the story of a woman whose control-freak husband continually overshadows her, and she is broken by his opinion of who, and what, she is. When she stumbles upon a wounded man on a beach, she takes a risk and helps save him. Slowly, she begins to heal. Nested within the artful prose and riveting action of these stories is writing that challenges readers with fantastical and emotional dexterity. Here are intricate styles, genres, and examples of the lengths an author can go to raise storytelling to personal, profound, and mysterious heights. The selections are not simple to navigate through, but if given the concentration they deserve, they reveal an unfettered sensitivity, intelligence, and humanistic conscience.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY

Gr 6-8–Larson relates a heartwarming yet poignant story about homesteading in early-20th-century Montana. Until the age of 16, orphan Hattie Brooks lived with whichever relative needed extra household help. Then she receives a letter telling her of an inheritance from her Uncle Chester, whom she had never met. Hattie is to receive his land claim, the house and its contents, one horse, and one cow. When she arrives from Iowa, she learns that she has 10 months to cultivate 40 acres and set 480 rods of fence, or lose the claim. While the story relates the hardships of frontier life and how Hattie “proved up” to the challenge, it also tells of World War I bigotry and discrimination toward German Americans. Hattie’s sense of humor, determination, and optimism come through in her letters to her friend Charlie, who is serving in the military in France, and through letters to her Uncle Holt, which are published in his hometown newspaper. Larson’s vivid descriptions of the harshness of the work and the extreme climates, and the strength that comes from true friendship, create a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered. Hattie’s courage and fortitude are a tribute to them.–Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

Gr 5-8–In the mid-1960s, Danny River and his family live on the periphery of Toronto, in out-of-the-way Hog’s Hollow. The neighbors find the family somewhat odd: the father, “Old Man” River, cleans septic tanks for a living, while Mrs. River imagines herself a belle of the old South, and their older son, Beau, dreams of becoming an astronaut. As the Vietnam War looms larger, Old Man River remembers his World War II experiences and begins to dig a shelter in an effort to protect his family from the threat of missiles. The construction has disastrous consequences when the boys are playing around the site and Beau falls in. Lawrence’s talent for creating captivating and rounded characters is fully realized from this point in the story as the Rivers struggle to come to terms with Beau’s death. When a stray dog appears shortly after the tragedy, Danny refuses to become attached to it out of a misplaced guilt over his brother’s death, but, over time, understands that loving Rocket does not lessen his love for his brother. The pace picks up nicely in the second half of the book when Danny and Rocket attempt to get to Cape Canaveral to realize Beau’s dream. Adventure abounds, and the interesting detail that Lawrence weaves in about the Gemini Space Program and astronaut Gus Grissom will appeal to reluctant readers as well as more seasoned ones. This robust novel offers an affirming and hopeful look at a difficult subject.–Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Gr 9 Up–As this novel opens, Countess Erzebet Bizecka, imprisoned in the castle tower awaiting trial for the murders of a number of her serving girls, recounts her gruesome story. A beautiful young noblewoman living in 16th-century Hungary, Erzebet becomes obsessed with youth and beauty after her mother goes insane, and performs a ritual that involves bathing in blood. As Erzebet herself teeters on the edge of sanity, she begins to hallucinate about an attractive young man who encourages her “hobby” and eventually convinces her that she must commit murder in order to gain immortality. Erzebet, based on a real-life Hungarian “blood countess,” is an interesting character. She feels trapped and powerless in a world dominated by men, but soon learns that her beauty is a source of power. Readers will sympathize with her feelings of loneliness and abandonment, while being repulsed by her actions. The descriptions are mildly gruesome without being overly graphic or sensationalized. Even so, the book is not for the faint of heart. While the characterization is solid, the depiction of Erzebet’s descent into madness is overly lengthy, which may deter all but die-hard horror fans.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Gr 9 Up–Tenth graders Jamie and Juan are best friends who live to surf. When Jamie gets into trouble for beating up his abusive stepfather, his older sister, Amber, runs to Juan for help. Juan decides to drive from California to his aunt’s trailer in Mexico, where his friend can stay until things cool down. He steals his mother’s car, and the three teens embark on a wild road trip that results in a tragedy that changes their lives forever. Although the writing is uneven at times, the mood and emotions ring true, and the fast-paced plot holds readers’ attention throughout. The characters are realistically drawn, and their relationships are complex, even though the dialogue can be stilted at times. Street language and sexual situations are presented in a matter-of-fact manner. Teens will identify with Juan and the choices, both good and bad, that he makes in order to help his friend.–Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX

Gr 6-9–Molly Parker, 12, lives in Boston with her recently deceased mother’s best friend and family. She is on a mission to meet the Celtics’ star player, Josh Cameron, to tell him that she is his daughter. With the help of her friend Sam, she sneaks into the athlete’s car so that they will have the opportunity to talk. Self-centered Josh is skeptical of her claim, yet spends time with her. However, his sinister agent, Bobby, worries that knowledge of Molly’s existence will destroy his client’s clean-cut image, and he tells her to get lost. She almost despairs of ever convincing Josh of their relationship before she moves to California with her new family. But after finding an encouraging note her mother had left, she travels to New York, where Josh has a game, and the two reconcile at the Rockefeller Center skating rink. Lupica creates intriguing, complex characters in Molly, Sam, and Josh, and he paces his story well, with enough twists and cliff-hangers to keep the pages turning. Molly’s relationships with others in Josh’s life, such as a teammate and his housekeeper, contrast nicely with her up-and-down relationship with her father. In spite of a few implausible events, some sentimentality, and a bit of predictability, this is an entertaining work. The strong female character and the basketball tie-in will expand its appeal.–Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH

Gr 9 Up–On good days, Fanboy is invisible to the students at his high school. On bad ones, he’s a target for bullying and violence. When a classmate is cruel to him, Fanboy adds him to “The List” and moves on. His only real friend, Cal, is a jock who can’t be seen with him in public. Their love of comics, though, keeps them close friends outside of school. Reading comics and writing his own graphic novel, Schemata, are the only things that keep him sane. He dreams of showing his work to a famous author at a comic-book convention and being discovered as the next great graphic novelist. When Goth Girl Kyra IMs him with photos of him being beaten up, he’s skeptical. Why does she care what happens to him? He learns, though, that she’s as much an outsider as he is. The two form a tentative friendship based on hatred of their classmates, particularly jocks, and her interest in Schemata. Fanboy is a rule follower, but Kyra is a rebel with a foul mouth. She teaches him to stand up for himself, and gives him the confidence to do it. Lyga looks at how teens are pushed to their limits by society. Though he toys with such concepts as teen suicide and Columbine-like violence, the novel never turns tragic. His love of comics carries over into all three teen characters, breathing animation into a potentially sad but often funny story. This is a great bridge book for teens who already like graphic novels.–Stephanie L. Petruso, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Odenton, MD

Gr 7-9–At Beverly Hills High, Prudence is a big deal: popular, star and soon-to-be head of the cheerleading squad, and a straight-A student. She is also half-witch, half-mortal, and, though she doesn’t use her magic in public, her younger brother, Tobias, has been unable to control his abilities. To avoid what could be a major scandal if the family’s heritage were to come to light, Prudence’s parents have decided to move to Salem, MA, where both children can learn to hone their craft at Agatha’s Day School for Witches. There, Prudence discovers that her lack of formal training has made her somewhat of an outcast. She has to attend remedial classes and can’t fully participate in the school’s cheerleading squad because the routines involve magic. This fish-out-of-water story is truly terrible, and neither Wicca enough nor romantic enough to allow it to fit in either of the genres to which it aspires. Much of the narrative tension and humor are supposed to revolve around the dual existence of “magic” and mortal worlds and the fact that the “pure” witch group seems clueless about the lives and lifestyles of the mortals. Because the magic and mortal worlds seem to exist on the same physical plane, this confusion is a little ridiculous.–Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston